Ryan puts his faith in youth
Gloucester Rugby head coach Dean Ryan has made seven changes to the cherry and whites side to face London Wasps at Adams Park tomorrow (3pm).
An already long injury list has been added to with Olivier Azam and James Simpson-Daniel ruled out in addition to long term absentees Mike Tindall and Iain Balshaw.
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Henry Trinder returns to the Gloucester side for the trip to face Wasps
Gloucester have received special dispensation from the RFU that will allow Elite Performance Squad members Luke Narraway and Olly Morgan to play their third game of a hectic week.
The youthful squad features several players from the Gloucester Academy including the likes of Charlie Sharples, Henry Trinder, Dan Williams and Dave Lewis who were all named in the England U20 Junior World Cup squad this week.
Young fly-half Freddie Burns has been named in a matchday squad for the first time, taking the place of Ryan Lamb who misses out.
Internationals Greg Somerville, Marco Bortolami, Apo Satala, Rory Lawson and Anthony Allen all return to the starting line up.
Gloucester have to win at Adams Park against reigning champions London Wasps, ideally with a try bonus point, to give themselves any chance of making the last four for a third year in a row.
However, that will not be enough if Harlequins, Bath Rugby and London Irish all get a minimum of two points.
Gloucester Rugby team to face Wasps: Olly Morgan; Charlie Sharples, Henry Trinder, Anthony Allen, Mark Foster; Carlos Spencer, Rory Lawson; Alasdair Dickinson, Scott Lawson, Greg Somerville; Adam Eustace, Marco Bortolami; Luke Narraway, Apo Satala, Gareth Delve (capt)
Reps: Andy Titterrell, Nick Wood, Alex Brown, Dan Williams, Dave Lewis, Olly Barkley, Freddie Burns.
GLOUCESTER legend Phil Vickery returns to the Wasps side to face his former team mates, while wing Tom Voyce makes his last appearance before joining Gloucester.
Vickery is one of four players playing their last games of club rugby ahead of the Lions tour to South Africa.
The former Gloucester prop will join team-mates Riki Flutey, Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley in Ian McGeechan's Lions squad.
Former Painswick prop Tim Payne will pack down alongside Vickery and Rob Webber in the Wasps front row.
England World Cup winner Josh Lewsey will make his 262nd and last competitive appearance for Waps.
The 32-year-old will play his last game in front of his home crowd before permanently hanging up his boots after the Barbarians' summer tour to Australia.
London Wasps: Lachlan Mitchell, Tom Voyce, Dominic Waldouck, Riki Flutey, Josh Lewsey, Danny Cipriani, Joe Simpson: Tim Payne, Rob Webber, Phil Vickery, Simon Shaw, George Skivington, Joe Worsley, Serge Betsen (C), John Hart
Reps: Joe Ward, Charlie Beech, Richard Birkett, James Haskell, Mark Robinson, Jeremy Staunton, Hugo Ellis.
7 Comments
by Frank, Churchdown
Friday, April 24 2009, 7:21PM
“Interesting team selection,Ryan has clearly learnt nothing from the Worcester game away as once again he is going in without a goal kicker. If Barclay is fit enough for the bench he is fit enough to play. But I am just a season ticket holder and supporter who will be at the match but know nothing!”
by china, glos
Friday, April 24 2009, 5:33PM
“playing the young ones at last but its a bit late to save d.r”
by Big Batch, Robinswood
Friday, April 24 2009, 3:54PM
“I have high hopes for this young squad. Perhaps they will have 'the hunger' needed for a win!”
by adam baldwin, Longlevens
Friday, April 24 2009, 12:52PM
“Lets just hope that our talented youngsters show up our more experienced players tommorow against wasps.With Freddie Burns in the squad ahead of Lamby its surely a sign that lamns on his way.”
by Derek Stephens, Longlevens
Friday, April 24 2009, 12:19PM
“Aafter suffering Twickenham and then home to Worcester on Tuesday evening together with all the constant ribbing from my work colleagues,we finally try and break free by playing some of our younger players who i have no doubt will give ther all in the Gloucester cause.What a pity their senior ccolleagues forgot the passion and pride in wearing the Jersey.Finally what another great piece of planning to hold the player of the year after the last home game,after that performance no wonder we all left as soon as possible. What a pity the two players who won the awards (well deserved in both cases)were unable to thank the fans who voted for them.”
by Outsider, glos
Friday, April 24 2009, 12:01PM
“where you get nieto back to italy, just signed for saracens. obviously not a very good insider.”
by insider, glawster
Friday, April 24 2009, 11:50AM
“too little too late,
balshaw lamb off to france
nieto botolami back to italy
tindall to retire
spencer off to ospreys?
no players ever comeback return from worcester ?”